Rolling-mill coupling



(No Model.)

JUL-ARK.

V ROLLING MILL COUPLING. N0.-2 44,978. Patented Aug. 2,1.881.

7 UNITED STATES PATENT Ora-"CE.

JAMES CLARK, OF WOODDALE, DELAWARE.

ROLLING-MILL COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming Heretofore in the connection of sets of rolls by means of. what are technically known as loose couplings there has been much lost motion. These loose couplings consist of a loose or separate coupling-shaft of the same sectional outline as the joggles, and of two coupling-boxes cored to fit respectively over the ends of the joggles, and of the loose-coupling shaft, so as to connect such members.

In the use of the device the parts become worn and capable of a slight rotary play, so that after motion is imparted to the first set of the series a certain amount of rotation occurs in its couplings before the motion is transmitted to the second set, and a certain amount of rotation occurs in the second coupling before motion is transmitted to the third set, and so on throughout the series. It frequently, in consequence, happens that theroll's of the first set of a long series willhave completed a quarter-revolution before the rolls of the last set of the series will have been caused to revolve, such loss of motion being wholly due to wear and to the necessary looseness of fit of r the couplings. The result of the above condition is that an excessive power is required to drive, while the hit of the successive couplings, as their slack is taken up, jars and strains the entire mechanism of both rolls and motor.

' The object of my invention is to prevent this loss of motion in the couplings, to which end my invention consists in the improved'conpling hereinafter described and claimed.

1n thea'ccompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents, in longitudinal elevation, a coupling embodying my improvements. Fig. 2 is a transverse section on the line a a of Fig. 1, viewed from the left-hand side; Fig. 3, a similar view on the line b b of Fig.- l, viewed from the left-hand side; and Fig. 4. a perspective detail, sectioned on theline a a of Fig. 1.

part of Letters Patent No. 244,978, dated August 2, 1881, Application filed March 8, 1881. (No model.)

. Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

In the accompanying drawings, A B represent contiguous housings of two sets of twohigh rolls, 0 and D. 1

E F are the joggles, respectively, of the rolls G and D, their sectional form being that shown in Fig. 2. r G is the loose coupling-shaft of the same section as the joggles, as shown in Fig. 3.

H and I are respectively the left and right hand coupling-boxes, cored out in such man- 'ner as to be capable of being slipped upon the joggles and coupling-shaft in the usual manner, their cores being of a section corresponding in outline to the sections of the shaft and joggles.

The parts above described are those in common use. i Y

J is a block formed upon or attached to the joggle E, substantially as shown in Fig. 2.

K is a band-spring rigidly connected with the joggle through the medium of the block J, the outer end of which spring is bent back so as to form a hook, L.

M is a stud upon that face of the couplingbox H which faces the housing A.

The parts last-above mentioned cooperate to take up the slack, the band-spring, when hooked upon the stud, acting to insure contact between the coupling-box and joggle, in the manner illustrated in Fig. 2, and its elasticity serving to retain the parts together in such position. In other words, the action of the spring is to place before the revolution of the rolls, and to retain in contact during such revolution, the faces of the core of the coupling-box and the faces of the joggle, which respectively bear against each other in the rotation of the device.

Referring, now, to Fig. 3, N is a block upon the coupling-shaft; O, a band-spring, hooked at its outer end, P, and at its inner end rigidly affixed to the block; and Q, is a stud upon that face of the coupling-box which fronts the housing 13.

The action of the parts last-above named is similar to that of the corresponding parts first described, viz: that the band-spring 0 takes up the slack between the coupling-shaft and the coupling-box H, and retains the parts in the position represented in Fig. 3-that is to say, with the faces of the core of the couplingbox in contact with the faces of the couplingshaft which respectively bear against them in the rotation of the parts. The second coupling-box, I, is connected with the couplingshaft and the joggle F by means of springs R and S in precisely the same manner that the couplingbox His connected with the couplingshaft and the joggle E, as last-above described.

As will be understood, the action of the springs in the keeping in contact the workingfaces of the cores, joggles, and coupling'shaft in the direction of the rotation of such parts is constant.

If desired, the springs upon the joggles may be dispensed with, the springs of the couplingshaft alone being employed.

The application and utility of my improvements lie in that they afford means for starting a composite train of rolls as an entirety, and without any lost motion whatever.

It will be obvious to one familiar with rolling-Inill machinery that the results attained by the above-described arrangement of springs will be equally well attained by substituting in lieu of springs any equivalent therefor, and by connecting the springs or their equivalent rigidly to the couplings and removably to the QRI IMWS juggles or coupling-shaft,instead of in the mauner the reverse thereof, hereinbef'ore described.

It will be also obvious that other fastening devices than studs or blocks may be substituted therefor.

Having thus described my invention, I 5 claim- 1. In a train of rolls, the combination of a joggle or a coupling-shaft, a coupling-box, and a spring, one end of which is affixed to the joggle or to the shaft, and the other end of which is aifixed to the coupling-box, whereby the working-faces of the joggle or shaft and of the coupling-box are retained in contact, substantially as described.

2. In a train of rolls, the combination of two joggles, two couplingboxes, a coupling-shaft, and a series of springs arranged and operating substantially in the manner set forth, the whole forming a composite device, whereby the working-faces of the joggles, couplingboxes, and coupling-shaft are retained in contact, as and for the purposes set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name this 5th day of March, 1881.

JAMES CLARK.

In presence of-- J. BONSALL TAYLOR, W. 0. STRAWBRIDGE. 

